Be Sure to Pay Attention to These Important Things When Buying a Home
Everyone knows that purchasing your first home is very exciting as you search for something that suits your dreams. During your first go around you may be thinking more about what you think is perfect for space, layout, location, and similar but there is more to pay attention to than just these basic wants. It can be challenging to consider some of the other important things, especially during a competitive market like we are in today, but here is some advice on imperative things to check out before you submit any offers.
HVAC System and Plumbing
These systems can be big-ticket items to fix or replace so make sure you do a thorough inspection. Check to see if there have been any recent updates or repairs as well as any signs of neglect like an old, dirty air filter at the very least. Many sellers will make paperwork available on recently replaced systems too so ask if they have it.
Structural Issues
Check for any obvious signs of a potential structural issue. Look for things like cracks in the floor or walls or perhaps a screen room with a leaning wall. Structural issues can be pricey to fix and any sign of one should be fully examined by your professional home inspector.
Crooked Fixtures
Crooked or off-center fixtures not only look funny but can suggest there may be an issue that lies behind the wall. Was it sloppy electrical work or just a sloppy install of the fixture? If there are many of these issues you may want to slow down and start asking some important questions.
Storage Spaces
Especially as first-time buyers tend to establish some roots with a growing family, consider the storage space possibilities. There may be some wiggle room now but what about further down the road in about a year or two? Count how many closets you have now and compare that to the homes you visit to preview. You definitely don’t want to go backward in the amount of closet space you have.
Noise Levels
Most home tours will occur during the day and during the week. So if you really want to know what an area is like then be sure to visit it at other times like evenings and on weekends. This will give you a chance to get a better feel and possibly meet more neighbors when they are home and if you can hear them well or not.
